So you’ve got the difficult bit out of the way and have secured yourself a job interview. Now the hard work begins to impress your potential employer and convince them that you are the right candidate for the role. To achieve this you should always be prepared – after all, failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

For a recruiter there is nothing more disappointing than meeting a candidate who is full of enthusiasm and potential, but who turns up for the interview unprepared. Before arriving for any interview you should always do your research about the company you are applying to join. To do this, we would recommend that you check out the following sources of information:

The Company Website

The logical first step is to visit the website of the company website. Don’t just give it a quick skim over. We would advise that you take the time to read about the company’s history, the clients they work with and some of their recent news stories. Familiarise yourself with recent product launches and general facts and figures related to their business operation. 

Trade Publications

Do not limit yourself to knowledge of the company. It is likely that a potential employer will expect you to have a basic understanding of the industry in which they operate. Find out what trade publications have to say about your potential employer, read up on their competition and familiarise yourself with the major issues in the industry and how they impact upon the company.

Google

Most of us have access to the internet on our mobile phones. So if you do nothing else while sitting on the bus, train or back of a taxi on the way to your interview, put the company name into Google and do some quick homework. It could be the difference between you getting the job and being caught out on the first question. 

If you would like more help with your job search, our candidate resource section includes a number of links offering tips and advice on everything from how to write the perfect cover letter or CV to perfecting your interview technique.